Undergraduate Academic Policies
and Frequently Asked Questions

This section answers some common questions about university academic
policies and contains some useful forms. Be sure to check with
your academic advisor in Shepard Building Room 245
if you have any additional questions.

What is Performance Based Admission and how does this affect my academic
standing?

Performance Based Admission (PBA) is the route students are admitted
into degree programs at the ASF College of Continuing Education. You
must meet with your advisor each semester while completing your first
15 credits at the University. Your advisor will monitor your
academic progress during this time to ensure you are making satisfactory
academic progress. If you complete the first 15 credits successfully
(maintain a 2.0 or above Grade Point Average), you will then be given
regular student status. PBA does not affect your academic standing
or your financial aid status.

Who is my academic advisor?

When you are admitted to a program in the ASF College of Continuing
Education, you are assigned an academic advisor depending on your
degree and major. In some programs you will keep this advisor
for the entire time you are in your degree program. In the Bachelor
of General Studies, you will have a freshman advisor who will stay
with you during the completion of your first 24 credits. Then
you will move to the upper level advisor for the completion of your
degree program.

How may I be sure I am taking the right courses to
fulfill my degree requirements?

It is important to be
familiar with the catalog for the year you matriculate
into a degree program. Generally, you follow the academic
regulations published in the catalog for the academic
term in which you were first admitted to a degree program. If
you take a leave of absence or you withdraw from the
University for a length of time, you might be readmitted
under a new academic term, and hence, would follow the
catalog for the new academic term. Your
academic advisor will guide you through this process.

All
students are given a curriculum worksheet (degree plan)
by their advisor. This
curriculum worksheet lists the requirements (sometimes
the specific courses) you will need to complete your
degree. As
you progress through your degree, you and your advisor
will fill in your curriculum worksheet so you can keep
track of your progress.
The final responsibility for meeting all course and
credit degree requirements rests with the individual
student.

How do I drop or add courses to my schedule? Are there deadlines?

If you wish to drop or add courses, you may do so
using the e-Campus system. (Use the links on the left
side of your Student Center screen.) The deadline dates
for each semester are published in the college catalog,
in the course schedule each semester, and on the University’s
web pages at http://www.uri.edu/es/calexams/index_calexams.html

It is very important that you formally drop a course – don’t
just disappear and assume that you won’t be billed for the course. If
you don’t formally drop a course, you may be liable for the
cost of the course, and/or you may incur a failing (F) or a “no
work” (NW) grade from the instructor. This grade will
appear on your transcript, affecting your GPA.

Deadlines:

Adding Courses: Students have two weeks from the beginning
of the semester to add courses. A grade will not
be received for a course for which a student is not officially registered
as of the last day of classes for a semester. The official dates
are printed in the academic calendar http://www.uri.edu/es/calexams/index_calexams.html.

Dropping
Courses: Students have 10 weeks to drop courses. Fees
are not adjusted after the add period. Students are responsible for
checking their schedule and for making changes in their registration
if necessary. Petitions to drop a course after the drop deadline will
be approved only in exceptional circumstances with full documentation
of those circumstances. Late drops will not be approved simply because
a student has changed majors or career plans, is failing or not making
the grade desired, or is unable to pay required fees.
Adding Pass/Fail Grading Option: Students have until
the end of the add period to add the Pass/Fail grading
option. The Pass/Fail grading option may be used only
for courses that are free electives in the student's program. No course
taken as part of the major, minor, or General Education program can
be taken Pass/Fail.
Other deadlines (URI Academic Calendar): http://www.uri.edu/es/calexams/index_calexams.html

What is the difference between a double major and a double degree?

A double major is a single degree within a single college
(e.g. B.A. with a double major in psychology and women's studies or
a B.S. in mathematics and computer science). A double degree is two
degrees either within a single college or within two different
colleges (e.g. B.A. in biology and a B.S. in chemistry or a B.A. in
German and a B.S. in engineering). A double major gets one degree,
one diploma, with both majors listed on the transcript. The double
degrees gets two degrees, two diplomas with both listed on the transcript.

What is a minor?

A minor requires a minimum of 18 credits with at least 12 at the 200 level or above.
A minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required in the minor and
at least half the credits in the minor must be taken at URI. Minors
require the approval of the minor department chair.

What do I need to do to qualify for the Dean’s
List?

Students qualify for the Dean's List by completing 12 or more credits
during a semester for letter grades with at least a 3.30 grade point
average. Part-time students qualify with the accumulation of 12 credits
with a 3.30 grade point average.

If I fail a course, can I take it again? What
is a Second Grade Option?

You may exercise a second
grade option by repeating a course taken within your first
30 attempted credits at the
University in which you earned a grade of C- or lower.
You must exercise this option no later than the next
two semesters in which you register after completing
30 credits. Only the grade earned when the course was
repeated will be used in the calculation of your GPA
and only the credits earned for the repeated course
will apply toward graduation requirements. All grades
earned shall remain on the student's record. To take
advantage of this option, you must obtain approval
from the Associate Dean of Continuing Education.
The second grade option may be used only once per
course.
Contact your advisor to discuss this option.
Transfer students may exercise this option for courses
taken during their first semester at the University.
The course must be repeated during the next two semesters
in which the student registers after the initial semester.
Click for the Second Grade Option Form: http://www.uri.edu/univcol/pdf/2dgrade.pdf

What is Probation and Dismissal?

At the end of every term (fall, spring, summer) students’ academic
records are evaluated for purposes of probation and dismissal decisions. Students
are placed on academic probation if their overall grade point
average drops below 2.00. For purposes of determining dismissal of
part-time students, 12 accumulated credits is considered to be one
semester. After being placed on probation for one semester, students
are eligible for dismissal if their overall grade point average falls
8 or more quality points below 2.00. A student
on probation for the second successive semester who has a deficiency
of eight or fewer quality points below a 2.00 average will continue
on probation. At the end of the third semester of probation,
a student will be dismissed. Students who obtain less than a
1.00 average in their first semester will be dismissed automatically.

Students are also eligible for dismissal if they remain on probation
for three consecutive semesters regardless of their quality point
deficit.

Students subject to dismissal will be notified by the ASF College
of Continuing Education, after which the student will have five days
to file a written appeal with the Dean of their college (Arts and
Sciences, Human Science and Services, ASF College of Continuing Education).

What is an “Incomplete” Grade?

A student shall receive a report of "Incomplete" in
any course in which the course work has been passing
up until the time of a documented precipitating incident
or condition, but has not been completed because of illness
or another reason which in the opinion of the instructor
justifies the report. (Section 8.53.20 University Manual).
Students receiving a grade of Incomplete should make
necessary arrangements with the instructor to complete
the work prior to the following midsemester. As with
any grade, an Incomplete may not be changed after a period
of two years.

How do I request a transcript?

Your transcript is the official record of all coursework, grades
and degrees conferred at the University of Rhode
Island. You can access an unofficial copy of your
student transcript on e-Campus. Official transcripts
are ordered on e-Campus or through Enrollment Services.
There is no charge for the service.
http://www.uri.edu/es/students/enroll/transcript.html.

What must I do to withdraw or leave the University
for a period of time? What is the difference
between a Leave of Absence and a Withdrawal from the
University?

Many times adult students need to take a break from
their studies. You can be away from the University for 2 consecutive semesters
(fall-spring or spring-fall) before you are considered
an inactive student. (Summer sessions is not considered
a semester for this purpose.) If
you have been away for more than 2 consecutive semesters,
you will need to fill out an Application
for Readmission.

No matter which route you take, be sure to contact the Finance and
Records Office, Shepard Building Room 205 to make sure your bill is
fully paid. If you are receiving financial aid, check with the
Financial Aid advisor (Room 125) to make sure you have done everything
you need to fulfill your financial aid obligations. It is important
that you do not just stop attending the University as you may jeopardize
your academic standing and/or be liable for outstanding bills.

Leave of Absence

Occasionally, students are forced to take a semester or two off because
of circumstances beyond their control. Others find they simply need
a break from studying. For these students, taking a leave of absence
might be wise. Students who have an approved leave of absence for
a semester or a year may register for the semester in which they plan
to return without applying for readmission.

A leave of absence maintains your student status while you are away
from the University for up to two semesters (fall, spring). Undergraduate
students who wish to take a leave of absence from an academic program
must do so through their academic dean’s office. All requests
for Leave of Absence require Dean’s Office approval.

If the Leave of Absence process is completed satisfactorily and approved
by the Associate Dean of Continuing Education, and you have cleared
all financial obligations to the University, the effective date of
the Leave of Absence will be noted on your permanent academic record. The
effective date is the date used for calculating billing or refunds.
No grades for the current semester will be recorded. Go to http://www.uri.edu/es/students/bill/billadjrefundinfo.html for
additional information regarding billing and refunds.

Withdrawal From the University

Official Withdrawal removes you from any academic program and cancels
your student status at the University of Rhode Island.

In order to return to the University you will need to apply for readmission
into a degree program at the Office of Admissions and Advising, Shepard
Building Room 245, or register for additional courses as a Non-Matriculating
student through the Feinstein College of Continuing Education.

If the withdrawal process is completed satisfactorily and you have
cleared all financial obligations to the University, the effective
date of withdrawal will be noted on your permanent academic record. The
effective date is the date used for calculating billing or refunds.
No grades for the current semester will be recorded.

Students who withdraw from the University after
the last day of classes, but before a semester ends,
will be graded in all courses for which they are
officially registered.

If a student withdraws from the University after
mid-semester, grades will be recorded for any course
that has an officially specified completion date
prior to the date of withdrawal.

A student who withdraws from the University after
mid-semester and who seeks readmission for the next
semester will be readmitted only with approval of
the Scholastic Standing Committee for the college
or school in which registration is desired.

If I have withdrawn or taken a leave of absence, how do I get readmitted?

Readmission to the ASF College of Continuing Education may be requested
either by mail or in person. If applying by mail, please complete
the application and return to:

Office of Admissions and Advising
ASF College of Continuing Education
80 Washington St.
Providence, RI 02903

Transcripts of coursework taken at all other institutions since your
last enrollment at the University should be sent directly to the above
address.

Completion of questions related to sex, marital status, date of birth,
citizenship and ethnic origin is optional. The information requested
is gathered in order to report aggregate totals to the United States
Department of Education in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act Of1964 and subsequent laws and regulations. Summaries are also
provided to the Rhode Island Department of Education and to various
academic and administrative offices of the University. These summaries
are used to assess progress toward affirmative action goals to which
the University is committed.

Submit the application to the Office of Admissions
and Advising, Shepard Building Room 245. Also submit
all official transcripts of coursework taken at another
institution since your last enrollment at the University.

After an evaluation and decision has been made
on your application you will receive a letter from
the Associate Dean of Continuing Education.

After you have been notified of your acceptance,
you will be reinstated in the e-Campus system within
a few days.

IMPORTANT

You must submit official transcripts of all academic
work taken at other institutions since your last attendance
at the University before a decision will be made on your application
for readmission. These transcripts should be sent to the Office of
Admissions and Advising. A
decision on your application will not be made until
these transcripts are received and evaluated.

Can I take a course at another college and have the credit
transferred to URI?

Students who would like to take a
course at another institution and have that course count
towards their degree should fill out the Prior Approval
for Off-Campus Study Form before they take the course.
This form acts as an agreement between the University
and the student by identifying the URI equivalency as
well as indicating what requirement will be fulfilled
when the course transfers.
Approval is not required if the course work will be
taken from Rhode Island College, the Community College
of Rhode Island, or if the course is already in the database of
approved courses) at http://www.uri.edu/transfer/approved

Student
Procedure:

Obtain a current catalog from the institution where
the course work will be taken (or go online and locate
the course information).

Return the signed form to the Associate Dean of Continuing Education
for approval.

Upon completion of the course(s), request
that an official transcript be sent to:

Office of Admissions and Advising
ASF College of Continuing Education
80 Washington St.
Providence, RI 02903

Please Note:

Prior approval assures credit will be awarded for work taken at
another postsecondary institution provided a satisfactory grade
is earned (C or better at all institutions except Rhode Island College
and the Community College of Rhode Island from which a C- or D is
accepted but only as a free elective.)

The credits for courses taken at another institution will transfer
but not the actual letter grade earned; therefore, the grades earned
in theses courses will not affect your grade point average.

Students attempting to take upper level Business courses at another
institution for transfer as equivalent credit at URI need to check
with their advisor. The credit will only transfer as equivalent
credit if the course is taken at an institution with an AACSB accredited
business program.

How can I ask for a course substitution or a waiver of
a course or requirement to my degree program?

If you put a FERPA restriction on your records (which you can do
through your home page in e-Campus) your name and other
information will NOT be included in any graduation materials (printed
list of graduating seniors, graduation program, news releases to graduates’ hometown
newspapers, etc.). If you wish your name to be listed in the
graduation materials, you will need to lift the FERPA restriction
prior to graduation (check with the Office of Admissions and Advising
for the deadline for you to do this). If you wish, you
can then put the restriction back on your records following
graduation.

What do I have to do to graduate?

Students have the responsibility to notify the Office
of Admissions and Advising (Shepard Building, Room
245) that they intend to graduate by filing a “Declaration
of Intent to Graduate Form.” You
may download the form here in PDF or Word format and
send the completed form to:

Students will not graduate if they do not file the “Declaration
of Intent to Graduate Form.” These deadlines ensure you
will receive an official degree audit prior to the deadline for changing
your last semester's schedule in case you have overlooked a requirement.

May I walk through the commencement ceremony in May if
I still need to take a few courses over the summer?

BIS students may participate in the May commencement ceremonies if
they are within 6 credits of graduation and will graduate in August.

Arts and Sciences students may participate in the May commencement
ceremonies if they are graduating in August.

HDF students may participate in the May commencement ceremonies if
they are within 6 credits of graduation and will graduate in August.

What are the graduation honors?

Students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 at
the time of graduation graduate cum laude. Students with a cumulative
grade point average of at least 3.5 graduate magna cum laude and those
with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.7 graduate summa
cum laude. Grades in all courses attempted at the University (including
those taken prior to conditional status, courses for which the second
grade option was used, and courses taken in non-matriculating status)
are included in the calculation of the grade point average for determining
these honors. A student must have taken at least 60 credits
at the University to be eligible for these honors.

May I take cultural competency courses to fulfill my
language requirement?

If you are in a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program or Human Development
and Family Studies program, YES. If you are in a Bachelor of
Arts program, NO. Some Bachelor of Science programs also require
a foreign language. Check with your academic advisor.

May I study abroad during the summer to fulfill my foreign language requirement?

No, not unless you actually earn language credits
in a foreign language. The URI in England program is a Cultural Competency
course and will not satisfy the Bachelor of Arts language requirement. Check
with your academic advisor.

Do the 300-level courses in my major count toward the 42 credits of advanced level work required for the Bachelor of Arts Degree?

Yes. Any course taken at the 300 level
or above, whether it is a general education course, a course in your
major, or a general elective, will count toward the 42-credit requirement.